Gila National Forest road closure prohibits public entry
Reserve, NM, June 30, 2025—Gila National Forest is working with the Federal Highway Administration to replace the 66-year-old South Fork Negrito Creek bridge on Forest Road 141. As a result of the project, a 4.5-mile segment of Forest Road 141 and South Fork Campground were closed last month, with the closure projected to last through September, unless the project is completed sooner.
Forest Road 141 is the major access route from Reserve, New Mexico to Negrito, Willow Creek, Snow Lake, and much of the southern half of the Reserve Ranger District. Its closure is an inconvenience for residents, visitors, businesses, and forest employees alike. There are multiple alternate routes available:
Forest Road 94 (Cox Canyon Road) from Apache Creek to Catron County Road 28 (Bursum Road – north end). Recent and ongoing road maintenance ensures the suitability of this road for all traffic. This is the main designated detour.
Catron County Road 28 at Horse Springs, passing through Y-Canyon to Forest Road 94.
New Mexico Highway 159 (Bursum Road – south end, also known as Mogollon Road) from US Highway 180 north of Glenwood to the Willow Creek area. This is a narrow, rocky road that may be suitable for high clearance vehicles.
Forest Road 153 (Deep Creek Divide) to Forest Road 180 (Corner Mountain Road) to Forest Road 119 is yet another option that is suitable only for high-clearance, four-wheel drive vehicles.
The forest has received numerous reports of visitors driving off Forest Road 141, through the bar ditch, and back onto the roadway to bypass the posted road closure, only to find the road impassable at the bridge construction zone a short distance ahead. The temporary public safety closure prohibits public access on the closed section of Forest Road 141 for any purpose. Penalties for violating the closure may require appearance in federal court and fines of up to $5,000 and up to 6 months in jail. Violations of the closure only serve to delay project completion due to work stoppage for public safety. Visit Gila National Forest Closures to view the closure order.
